MINNEAPOLIS — The University of Minnesota football team announced Tuesday that quarterback Max Shortell will transfer next season.
Shortell, a sophomore from Shawnee Mission, Kan., was behind MarQueis Gray on the depth chart last year as a freshman and now behind true freshman Philip Nelson.
"Max is an outstanding young man, and I respect and understand his decision to transfer," Gophers coach Jerry Kill said in a statement. "I will help him in any way I can and wish him all the best as he continues his education and football career elsewhere."
The move isn't terribly surprising, as it appears that Nelson is the Gophers' quarterback of the future. Shortell appeared in seven games this year for Minnesota and he relieved the injured Gray early in the season. But after Nelson made his debut on Oct. 20 against Wisconsin, Shortell threw just 11 more passes the rest of the season.
As a true freshman last year, Shortell completed 26 of 54 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns. He had six touchdown passes and five interceptions on 65-of-116 passing this season.
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